Hello and welcome to another round of Random Thoughts from yours truly. I've got a lot to get to this time out so, again, with that in mind...enjoy.
- Before I start, I want to walk back something I said in the last blog. I was expecting to be writing more frequently with all the stuff happening for me this month, but it looks like I'll just be posting as I have been. The big reason for this is that the increased activity, especially my new job, is leaving me too mentally drained to even considering upping the output, even temporarily. I'll just continue doing them as I have been.
- Last weekend I had my 38th birthday. It's hard to believe that I'm actually 38, but I am. I have to admit, the entire year while I was 37, from beginning to end it was one of the most stressful and roughest times in my life even when things were decent. I'm just glad things are starting to improve, if only a little bit. My birthday itself was not as eventful as I thought it to be or wanted it to be. A big factor in that was I was just so tired from starting the new job and trying to readjust my sleep schedule. At least I got to spend it with friends at Martini Park...I enjoyed that.
- My church home: Crossroads World Christian Center ministered by Pastor Cory Pariseau.
- Some sad news along with something I am asking of anybody reading the blog today: the son of my friend Walt passed away last weekend. I don't want to talk about it too much here but he and his family are taking the passing hard. My prayers and condolences are already with them but if you could also all please say a prayer for Walt and his family, I think they'd appreciate the support in this difficult time.
- Many cities in the U.S. have had budget shortfalls and shortages and that is especially prevalent in Ohio. As a result, many things have been cut from those budgets including long-standing events and festivals. Last week, due to budget constraints, the city of Akron had to cancel it's annual Fourth of July fireworks display for this year. Unless funding comes from private sources, it looks like there will be no big fireworks display on July 4th in Akron for the first time in Lord knows how long. I've been spoiled a bit from being in Columbus and having Red, White, and Boom, but when I lived in NE Ohio the July 4th fireworks show was a big event and one of the few things I actually looked forward to while I lived there. If they don't have the big display this year it'll be a big shame.
- "Joe vs. the Volcano"...on the Weather Channel?!?!? What is this world coming to? I mean Joe vs. the Volcano is one of my favorite movies, but why the heck is the Weather Channel doing airing movies in the first place? I just don't get it. I do have to say, it's eerie timing since just after the movie aired last weekend that volcano in Iceland erupted and is currently causing airline chaos throughout the world, especially throughout Europe and western Asia. Freaky.
- It looks like WWE Smackdown is once again changing network homes starting soon after the current season of NXT. Smackdown is moving off of free network TV and moving to cable, more specifically the SyFy channel. The show has bounced around a bit in the past few years, first being on UPN, then the CW and more recently MyNetwork TV. Smackdown joins Raw not just on cable but more specifically within NBC Universal, making WWE more firmly a part of the NBC family. I'm not surprised this route was taken given that many shows once on major broadcasting networks are migrating to cable and pay TV channels. Given WWE's stability within NBCU, this pretty much assures Smackdown's future not just as a television show but as it's own brand separate from Raw. I wonder if this might help increase ratings for the show.
- This upcoming Thursday the first round of the NFL Draft will take place. The Westerville Browns Backers will be hosting a draft party Thursday evening starting at 6:30 PM at Jimmy V's in uptown Westerville. If you want more specific information about the party, you can visit our Facebook event page to get more details. If you're not on Facebook, you can go to the Westerville Browns Backers website's front page for the details. I have to admit, I wasn't initially a fan of putting the 1st round of the draft on a separate night and spreading it out over Thursday (1st round), Friday (2nd & 3rd rounds), and Saturday (Rounds 4 through 7). As time has worn on, I found myself warming up to and embracing this concept, especially in how it might make for more draft parties. This year promises to be exciting for Browns fans, especially with recent reports that they are considering making moves for either multiple picks in the first round or even moving up to the number one spot this year. I'd recommend those planning to come up to Jimmy V's this Thursday evening to get there early because you might miss something big. I missed the banquet this year but I am NOT missing the draft party, so I hope to see some of you up there.
- Song on repeat: "I Like Them Girls" by Tyrese Gibson. The title of the song says it all for me.
- SLP to the following: Walt, Al (happy b-day), Holly, Katie, Aunt Susie, Aunt Sandy, George, Carlos, Jay, Marcia, Andrea, Cheryl, Renee, Rhonda, Chad, Lynn, Jack, Joe M., Dave, Ernest, Rahn, Fudge, Xavier, Jenny K (happy b-day), and Pastor Cory.
I've got another busy week coming up with work and all that. My sinuses are acting up a bit to the point I couldn't go out last night due to the headache caused by said sinuses. I need to get some more rest before all the stuff coming up, so with that I'll end this edition of Random Thoughts. Join me next time as I once again talk about all the exploits, experiences, and observations of this crazy person you all know as...or should know as...DJ. Until next time, folks. Take care and God Bless.
DJ
